The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the evolving linguistic landscape: the rising influence of English and other European languages

While Ukrainian/Russian bilingualism remains prevalent across Ukraine, with both languages regularly used in daily life, there is a noticeable shift towards multilingualism, marked by the increasing prominence of English as the language of international communication. This paper provides an overview of the current linguistic landscape in Ukraine and examines recent language status planning initiatives by the Ukrainian government aimed at enhancing the role and usage of English within society, particularly in contexts involving foreign language speakers unfamiliar with Ukrainian. The paper analyses the reasons behind Bill No. 9432, introduced to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) on 28th June 2023 by President Zelenskyy. It explores the ensuing debate surrounding the Bill, which mandates compulsory English education in pre-schools and schools, state examinations in English, and the obligatory knowledge of English for certain civil servants, military personnel, customs officers, and emergency service officers. The paper also addresses the proposal to transition from dubbing English-language films to subtitling, a move that has sparked significant controversy and criticism. This research analyses the arguments for and against this proposal, highlighting the broader implications for Ukraine’s linguistic environment and the government’s ongoing efforts to promote the wider use of the Ukrainian language.